The Metamorphoses (Latin: Metamorphōsēs,
from Ancient Greek: μεταμορφώσεις: "Transformations") is an 8
AD Latin narrative poem by the Roman poet Ovid,
considered his magnum
opus. Comprising 11,995 lines, 15 books and over
250 myths, the poem chronicles the history of the
world from its creation to the deification of Julius Caesar within a loose
mythico-historical framework.
Although meeting the criteria for an epic, the poem defies simple genre
classification by its use of varying themes and tones. Ovid took
inspiration from the genre of metamorphosis poetry, and some of
the Metamorphoses derives from earlier treatment
of the same myths; however, he diverged significantly from all of
his models.
One of the most influential works in Western culture,
the Metamorphoses has inspired such authors
as Dante Alighieri, Giovanni Boccaccio, Geoffrey Chaucer, and William Shakespeare. Numerous episodes from the poem
have been depicted in acclaimed works of sculpture, painting, and
music. Although interest in Ovid faded after the Renaissance, there was a resurgence of attention to
his work towards the end of the 20th century. Today
the Metamorphoses continues to inspire and be
retold through various media. Numerous English translations of the work have been made, the
first by William Caxton in 1480
Title page of 1556 edition published by Joannes Gryphius
(decorative border added subsequently). Hayden.